Fourth grade students will have their first recorder quiz, beginning next Thursday (for Day 4 music students).
The quiz dates are as follows:
Thursday 11/12 (Mrs. Long's Class)
Friday 11/13 (Miss Miller's Class)
Tuesday 11/17 (Miss Otto's Class)
Students will perform the song "It's in the BAG" as part of a small group and then alone, in front of 4 or 5 peers. Students will be graded on 4 areas and will receive one point for meeting the standard in each area.
1. Correct Notes (The pitches the student plays are the notes on the page, in the correct order).
2. Correct Rhythms (The rhythms the student plays match the rhythm on the page, in the correct order).
3. Using "too" or "tah". (Student doesn't just blow air into the recorder but uses a 'too' or 'tah' to articulate the notes. Cheeks should not puff out; this is an indication of using too much air and not using 'too' or 'tah' for articulation).
4. No squeaking (Student manages air properly- like a furnace, not a fan. Student also keeps fingers completely covering holes of the instrument when appropriate; student does not allow air to escape from holes they intend to cover and cause squeaking).
Here are some practice steps we discussed in class for when 4th graders are preparing for our BAG quiz at home:
1. Read the rhythm on rhythm syllables (i.e. "ta, ta, ti-ti ta", etc.)
2. Write in the note names, if needed
3. Read the rhythm on the note names ("B, B, BB, B..")
4. Make sure you know the finger positions for all of the notes in the song. Use the fingering charts in the inside of the front cover of your recorder book to help you.
5. Read they rhythm on the notes names while practicing the finger positions in the correct order for the song.
6. Practice playing the entire song, being sure to use 'too-too' and keep the holes you are covering for your finger positions completely covered.
*Ask Mrs. Garner if you have any questions!
Happy Practicing! Remember "Mistakes are Proof that You are Trying!"
